The day finally came. Katie Couric announced that she is leaving Today. She hasn't officially announced that she'll be taking over the CBS Evening News from Bob Schieffer, but we can only assume she's not quitting because she wants to finally have time to knit that scarf for her dying grandmother.
Couric is one of the most highly paid figures in U.S. television, signing a 4 1/2-year renewal deal with NBC in December 2001 that sources said was worth about $60 million.Speculation about Couric's future has generated intense media attention due to her enormous popularity, the economic interests at stake for all three major networks and the landmark nature of the move.
Sources close to the situation said on condition of anonymity on Tuesday that Couric, 49, had agreed to replace veteran CBS News correspondent Bob Schieffer in the evening anchor chair.
In that role, she would follow network television veterans Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. Schieffer took over for Rather on a temporary basis in March last year after Rather stepped down.
Couric's contract with NBC expires on May 31, but sources said the network allowed her to enter into early direct negotiations with CBS as part of an amicable parting of the ways.
Couric says to leave NBC for rival CBS [Reuters]
Walter Cronkite says:
Christ, why not give my old job to Paris Hilton while you're at it? WTF?!? Katie Couric should be hosting Good Morning Des Moines. Let's see her announce the next worldwide catastrophe without that dumbass smile on her face. I need a drink. Zzzzzzzz....
BRockNYLA
I don't know about you, but the most exciting part of all this news is that Meredeth Viera could be leaving The View to replace Katie. I love Meredith on 'Millionaire'.
Other than that, all this hoopla over Ms. Couric, I think, is overblown. I mean, who really gives a shit?
Scot says:
Katie has done an admirable, if not outstanding, job at NBC. She proudly displayed integrity and graciousness in her 15 years at "Today." But she is allowed to find new paths, and climb new mountains. She's driven to succeed – and she should not be knocked for following her heart and soul. As for "Today" I look forward to some new blood and ideas to invigorate the tried-and-true format. Meredith Viera is an outstanding choice. She has many of Katie's honest characteristics, but also has a track-record with providing insight and credibility when addressing hard-news. Plus, I think she will be wonderful covering future Olympics and other NBC News programs that will undoubtedly be heading her way.
Alexa says:
Farewell, CBS. This was the final straw for me and don't say I didn't give you lots of chances. Remember Connie Chung? Remember how you screwed one of your own, Dan Rather? How about the time you executives gave yourselves big fat raises, then cut the budget on 60 Minutes. huh?
nevermind...I know ya'll are off hiding your sorry asses because even YOU can't believe you're putting that stupid chick on the nightly news.
MacT says:
Any respect I had for Couric was napalmed when I was in the crowd outside the Today show one morning. They announced John Walsh was on after the break and when the commercials started rolling she said (apparently not knowing the speakers to the folks outside were still on) "I hate it when he's on here! All he wants to do is plug that show of his. We need to start getting someone else."
Then she looks over at somebody, and you just know it's some tech assistant or something telling her she's still on, because she immediately folds her hand in her lap drops her head and doesn't budge or utter a sound until the break is over.
Yeah, no thanks, I wouldn't even watch her if she was doing a story on me.